Metallic flexible-joint coupling



(No Model.)

T. W. MORAN.

METALLIC FLEXIBLE JOINT GOUELING.

810.891,829. .Patented 008. I8, 1888.

THOMAS lV. MORAN, OF

PATENT LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

METALLIC FLEXI BLE-JOINT COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,329, dated October 16, 1888.

Application filed July 30, 1887. Serial No. 245,744.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs W. MORAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Flexible Couplings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or gures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a side elevation of my improved coupling. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of same.

The invention relates to improvements in flexible couplings for pipes to convey liquids or steam, the purpose being to do away with the use of rubber hose, which is corroded or partially dissolved by certain liquids; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a hollow hemisphere having the pipe-nozzle B standing centrally outward from it, the end of which nozzle is externally threaded for connection to the piping. The hemisphere is threaded externally around its mouth for a short distance, as at a, to engage a cap-piece, hereinafter described. The hemisphere is provided internally around its mouth with a bearing-flange, I, having an interior circumferential oil-groove, t', of capillary or thread like form, whereby rubber or other packing is rendered unnecessary.,

It is found in practice that a very little oil will last a long time, as the fluid cannot readily reach it, owing to the close connection of the bearings. The oil therefore should be placed in the groove before the parts are connected and joined to the pipes.

C is a hollow sphere, ground so as to fit perfectly against the edge of the bearing-flange I within and eccentric to the hemisphere A, and provided with a nozzle, D, similar to the nozzle B, and similarly threaded at its end. Between the sphere and the internal surface of the hemisphere is the meniscoid interspace o', having its narrowest portion at the flange I (No model.)

and increasing in depth to the axial center of the inner opening of the nozzle B.

The sphere O is provided at a point diametrically opposite to the nozzle Dwith the opening E, which is within the hemisphere.

F is a cap piece that screws down on the hemisphere A and retains the sphere C in place. The inner surface of the cap-piece is ground accurately to fit the sphere, so that there will be no leakage between them, and when screwed home it is kept from turning out of engagement by the set-screw G, which passes through a tapped opening in a lug, g, standing from the outer surface of the hemisphere, and engages in a recess, H, in the outer rim of the cap-piece.

The sphere, bearing-flange, and cap-piece are ground accurately to fit, so that leakage will be prevented, and in whatever position the sphere stands the opening E will communicate with the interior meniscoid interspace, c', so that the liquid can flow through the joint without interruption.

In screwing the cap-piece in place thelateral lugs or projections f f are used to give a firm hold.

The joint is entirely of metal, and therefore will not be corroded like rubber.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In a flexible coupling, the hollow hemisphere provided with the central nozzle and the bearing-flange and threaded at its-mouth, the hollow sphere provided with the tapped nozzle and opening E and seated eccentrically on the bearing-flange, the meniscoidinterspace between said sphere and hemisphere, and the screw cap-piece engaging the threaded portion of the hemisphere, substantially as specified.

2. The universal-joint coupling for tubes, consisting of the coupling-hemisphere A, having the nozzle B and set-screw, the sphere C, eccentric to the hemisphere, having the nozzle D and the interior opening, E, the meniscoid interspace c between said hemisphere and sphere, the cap-piece F, threaded to engage said hemisphere and outstanding to engage said set-screw, and the interior capillary or thread-like oil-groove, z', in the bearing for said sphere, substantially as specified.

3. The universal-joint coupling for tubes, consisting of the hemisphere A, having the threaded nozzle B and the inwardly-standing l surface to ft the sphere and having the threadro hearing-flange I, the oil-groove therein, the ed portion to engage the threaded portion of hollow sphere G, ground to it against the bearthe hemisphere, substantially as speoied. ing-flange I, Within the hemisphere and eooen In testimony whereof I affix my signature in tric thereto, forming the rnenisooid interspaoe presence of two Witnesses. having its narrowest portion at the flange I and increasing in depth to the axial center of the inner opening of the nozzle B, and the cappiece F, having the accurately-ground inner THOS. W. MORAN. Witnesses:

L. R. FIGG, H. STALLMANN. 

